Tantalize

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Book Overview

Are you predator or prey? CLASSIFIED ADS: RESTAURANTS SANGUINI'S: A VERY RARE RESTAURANT IS HIRING A CHEF DE CUISINE. DINNERS ONLY. APPLY IN PERSON BETWEEN 2:00 AND 4:00 PM. Quincie Morris has never... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 076364059X
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Candlewick
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.9" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Surprising

I've seen some of the reviews here and I've got to tell you that the only thing that might hurt this book is the long reaching shadow of another vampire tale. This is a vastly better written story than many. You enter a world not that different than our own except most people know vampires and werewolves really do exist. And you'll learn that vamps aren't always amused by humans making a buck off of their reputations. When Quincie starts a vampire themed restaraunt, she inadvertently attracts the real deal and makes life deadly dangerous for her and her werewolf boyfriend. And this story gives a whole new meaning to "kiss the cook." Funny, exciting and gripping this book will tempt your mind's taste buds from appetizer to desert.

The Compulsive Reader's Reviews

For a high school senior, Quincie Morris is exceptionally responsible and already she is certain in what she wants to do with her life: run her family's Italian restaurant. She and her uncle plan on re-opening the place with a hot new vampire theme, certain to attract business. But then their head chef Vaggio is brutally murdered a month before the re-opening, leaving Quincie and her uncle scrambling for not only a new chef, but the ultimate performer. Enter Henry Johnson. Skinny, blond, and so not the vampire type. But he can cook. And so he's hired, and Quincie is left with the job of transforming him into an intimidating, dramatic, and convincing vampire performer. All the while, Vaggio's killer is still at large, and the police seem to think that Quincie's werewolf best friend Kieran is responsible, and the question is posed...is it a vampire or wereperson that is truly at fault? Quincie is finding it harder to know who to trust in a world where it is unclear who is the predator and who is the prey. Tantalize is an elegant, dark, and nicely creepy read. Smith has created a fascinating and slightly chilling world where things aren't all that they seem to be, and it is too easy to fall into an enemy's traps. She cleverly reveals only a glimpse of the whole picture as the story progresses, not too much to allow the story to become predictable, but just enough to tempt and entice readers without frustrating them. Quincie is an engrossing narrator and admirable character who lives up to and beyond her namesake. Polished and sophisticated, if you're looking for a remarkable, unique, and completely mesmerizing supernatural read, this is it. Visit my website (http://thecompulsivereader.blgospot.com/) for an exclusive interview with the author!

Tantalize

I was TANTALIZED with every word of Cynthia Leitich Smith's new YA novel. What a great, grizzly coming of age, love story. It was a non-stop, mesmerizing tale, which exceeded all my grand expectations! This reader was left thirsting for more adventures created by this wonderful, dangerously brilliant author.

Tantalizing...

I'm new to this genre but, whoa-boy, I'll be back. After I got comfy with the idea that there are vampires and werefolks among us, I could NOT put this book down. Steamy, titallating, funny and super CA-reepy -- and I mean that in a good way. I do hope we'll be seeing more of Quincie in the future...

Deliciously entertaining

Orphaned Quincie Morris is 17 and living with her Uncle Davidson. She's in school, in love, but her current focus is to put her own stamp on her inheritance: the family's Italian restaurant. She renames the place "Sanguini's," (get it?) and remodels along a "vampire theme," a gimmick she believes residents of her hometown will readily embrace since "vampires are a fringe population and Austin in a tolerant place." A month before the re-opening, tragedy strikes when the longtime chef (and family friend) is murdered in the restaurant's kitchen. The manner of death -- he's mauled to pieces -- raises police suspicions that the killer is . . . a werewolf. Uh-oh. The love of Quincie's life is a hybrid werewolf -- could hunky Kieren be involved? The plot thickens, ripens and boils over from there, as Q and Uncle D. quickly hire a spooky new chef de cuisine, whose menu features dishes both yummy (portobello mushroom pate) and yucky (chilled baby squirrels in orange brandy!) Smith has written a delightfully creepy page-turner with a feisty heroine, starcrossed lovers, plenty of suspense, and humor (Texans will be intrigued to learn that nearly everybody in the state capitol is capable of shape-shifting, or maybe they know that already.) While you're waiting for Stephenie Meyer's next book, skip the Buffy reruns and read this. Just maybe not right before bed . . . .